Narrow with fast-paced, continuous wave trains
THE NARROWS COLORADO
About Rafting the Narrows Colorado
The Narrows Colorado offers non-stop exciting whitewater through a beautifully secluded section of the Arkansas River. Large cottonwood trees line the river, where the stunning 14,000 peaks of the Collegiate Peaks dominate the horizon. The river through The Narrows section offers long rapids with fast-paced wave trains – making in a wonderful adventure for spirited first-timers as well as those with rafting experience.
Recommended For: Intermediate rafters, adventurous first-timers and outgoing families.
We are not running Narrows trips in 2024.
the narrows sections
Arkansas River – Narrows White Water Rafting Details:
Difficulty: Class III-IV (What does this mean?)
Elevation: 8272′ to 7905′
Average Gradient: 48.9′ per mile
Access to Access
Riverside to Railroad Bridge: .5 miles
Railroad Bridge to Buena Vista: 7.0 miles
Total Mileage: 7.5 miles
Notes: The Narrows is fantastic at medium to high water, with great wave trains and alot of technical paddling. The Narrows at lower water levels (<800 cfs) is rocky and hard to navigate.
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Information for Arkansas River Self-Guided Boaters:
The Arkansas River is in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
- Boating Permit Required: NO
- Permit Details: On the off chance you do not use a developed AHRA Recreation Site, no fee of any kind is required to float the river.
Arkansas River – The Narrows Access Details:
- Sites: Riverside Access
- Instructions: This is a public camping site with access to the river. If camping, do not block the path to the river. Many commercial and self-guided boaters use this access so please load and unload quickly.
- Fee: No
Arkansas River – Railroad Bridge Access Details:
- Sites: Railroad Bridge Recreation Site
- Instructions: Follow signage at recreation site.
- Fee: Annual or daily permits are required to use these sites. Those without passes will be ticketed.
- Where to Buy: Annual Permits can be purchased through AHRA in Salida or Colorado Parks and Wildlife Offices in Denver, but most people use the self-serve daily pay stations at AHRA managed access points.
- Contact: Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA)
307 W Sackett Street, Salida, CO 81201
719-539-7289 ~ www.parks.state.co.us/parks/arkansasheadwaters
Arkansas River – Buena Vista Access Details:
- Sites: Buena Vista Access
- Instructions: Follow signage at site.
- Fee: No
- Contact: Town of Buena Vista
210 East Main Street, Po Box 2002, Buena Vista, CO 81211
719.395.8643 ~ buenavistaco.gov
Shuttles:
Wilderness Aware Rafting offers self-guided boater vehicle shuttles on limited sections of the Arkansas River. Please contact them at 800.462.7238 or complete an Arkansas River Shuttle Reservation Form on their website.
